Ghap. XI.] Character of the People. 109 



here is mind too. These repasts, amongst people of 

 any figure, come forth under the superintendance of 

 industrious and accomplished house- wives, or their 

 daughters, who all read a great deal, and in -vrhora 

 that gentle treatment from parents and husbands, 

 which arises from an absence of racking anxiety, has 

 created an habitual, and even an hereditary good 

 humour. These ladies can converse with you upon 

 almost any subject, and the ease and gracefulness of 

 their behaviour are surpassed by those of none of even 

 our best tempered English women. They fade at an 

 earlier age than in England; but, till then, they are 

 as beautiful as the women in Cornwall, which contains, 

 to my thinking, the prettiest women in our country. 

 However, young or old, blooming or fading, well or 

 ill, rich or poor, they still preserve their good humour. 

 " But, since, alas ! frail beauty must decay, 

 " Curl'd, or uncurl'd, since locks will turn to grey ; 

 " Since painted, or not painted, all shall fade, 

 " And she who scorns a man must die a maid ; 

 " What, then, remains, but well our pow'r to use, 

 " And keep^oorf humour still, whate'er we lose? 

 " And, trust me, Dear, good-humour can preyail, 

 " When flights and fits and screams and scolding fail." 



335. This beautiful passage, from the most beautiful 

 of poets, which ought to be fastened in large print 

 upon every lady's dressing table, the American women, 

 of all ranks, seem to have by heart. Even amongst 

 the very lowest of the people, you seldom hear of that 

 torment, which the old proverb makes the twin of a 

 smoky house. 



356. There are very few really ignorant men in 

 America of native growth. Every farmer is more or 

 less of a reader. There is no brogue, no provincial 

 dialect. No class like that which the French call 

 peasantry, and which degrading appellation the mis- 

 creant spawn of the Funds have, of late yean, 

 applied to the whole mass of the most useful of the 

 people in England, those who do the work and fight 

 the battles. And, as to the men, who would naturally form 

 ymir acquaintances, they, I know from experience, 

 fure as kind, frank, and sensible men as are, on the 

 general run, to be found in England, even with the 



